Local stability analysis of a stochastic evolutionary financial market model with a risk-free asset

This paper introduces and analyzes an evolutionary model of a financial market with a risk-free asset. Focus is on the study of local stability of the wealth dynamics through the application of recent results on the linearization and stability of random dynamical systems (Evstigneev et al. Proc Am Math Soc 139:1061–1072, 2011). Conditions are derived for the linearization of the model at an equilibrium state which ensure local convergence of sample paths to this equilibrium. The paper also shows that the concept of local stability is closely related to the notion of evolutionary stability. A locally evolutionarily stable investment strategy in the evolutionary model with a risk-free asset is derived, extending previous research. The method illustrated here is applicable for the analysis of manifold economic and financial dynamic models involving randomness.     

Surface modification of epoxy‐functionalized acrylate colloids

A synthetic route towards surface modified, monodisperse, spherical particles is presented. The precursor particles exhibit epoxy‐functionalities which can be opened afterwards with an appropriate nucleophile. Via this route, dye labeled particles are obtained. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determining the geometry of hydrogen bonds in solids with picometer accuracy by quantum-chemical calculations and NMR spectroscopy.

The structure of multiply hydrogen-bonded systems is determined with picometer accuracy by a combined solid-state NMR and quantum-chemical approach. On the experimental side, advanced 1H-15N dipolar recoupling NMR techniques are capable of providing proton-nitrogen distances of up to about 250 pm with an accuracy level of +/-1 pm for short distances (i.e., around 100 pm) and +/-5 pm for longer ones (i.e., 180 to 250 pm). The experiments were performed under fast magic-angle spinning, which ensures sufficient dipolar decoupling and spectral resolution of the 1H resonance lines. On the quantum-chemical side, the structures of the hydrogen-bonded systems were computationally optimised, yielding complete sets of nitrogen-proton and proton-proton distances, which are essential for correctly interpreting the experimental NMR data. In this way, nitrogen-proton distances were determined with picometer accuracy, so that vibrational averaging effects on dipole-dipole couplings need to be considered. The obtained structures were finally confirmed by the complete agreement of computed and experimental 'H and '5N chemical shifts. This demonstrates that solid-state NMR and quantum-chemical methods ideally complement each other and, in a combined manner, represent a powerful approach for reliable, high-precision structure determination whenever scattering techniques are inapplicable.     

Material Discrimination in Nanoparticle Hetero-Aggregates by Analysis of Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Images

Hetero-contacts are interfaces between different materials at the nanoscale leading to novel functional properties. In hetero-aggregates, primary particles of at least two different materials are mixed at primary particle or cluster level. Double flame spray pyrolysis (DFSP) is a versatile technique for the controlled synthesis of such materials. Characterization of hetero-aggregates by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) requires acquisition and evaluation of many aggregate images in order to derive statistically significant results. Usually, STEM energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) is used to acquire elemental maps providing the material distribution of the primary particles within hetero-aggregates. However, the acquisition of a single EDXS map takes up to several minutes. For this reason, determination of material types of primary particles from the intensity in high-angle annular dark field STEM images alone is desirable. These images can be acquired within a couple of seconds. In the present work, a method is suggested which allows for achieving this objective. It can be applied to distinguish materials with a significant difference in their atomic number and hence sufficient material contrast in the STEM images.